FR3053653A1 - CONNECTION DEVICE COMPRISING A FUSE FOR ATTACHING A BODY MEMBER TO A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (2) for connecting a bodywork element (3) to a vehicle, said device comprising a first connecting zone and a second connecting zone (9) configured to receive fastening means (8) for fixing the device to the body part and to the vehicle; this device comprising a fuse for breaking the connection device, according to a breaking zone, under the effect of a force applied by the bodywork element on the device; said device being configured to receive the body member on a contact surface (22) preventing device breakage, when the force is applied along a first primary direction of the first direction; the device comprising a shim (20), located outside the rupture zone, preventing the device from breaking when the force is applied in a first direction (27) secondary to a second direction (28).

Description

Holder (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Public limited company.

CONNECTION DEVICE COMPRISING A FUSE FOR FIXING A BODY ELEMENT ON A VEHICLE.

FR 3 053 653 - A1 (5 // A device (2) for connecting a bodywork element (3) to a vehicle, this device comprising a first connection area and a second connection area (9) configured to receive fixing means (8) for fixing the device to the bodywork element and to the vehicle; this device comprising a fuse intended to break the connection device, according to a rupture zone, under the effect of a force applied by the body element on the device; this device being configured to receive the body element on a contact surface (22) preventing rupture of the device, when the force is applied in a first primary direction of the first direction; device comprising a shim (20), located outside the rupture zone, preventing the rupture of the device when the force is applied in a first direction (27) secondary to a second direction (28).

CONNECTION DEVICE COMPRISING A FUSE FOR

FIXING OF A BODY ELEMENT ON A VEHICLE The invention relates to devices allowing the fixing of a body element on a vehicle.

The vehicles include, in exterior decoration, bodywork elements having an aesthetic function, a function of identifying the brand and of the vehicle, and also a protective function.

Indeed, vehicles are designed to reduce, or even avoid, the damage caused to individuals, linked to an accident occurring with the vehicle. Thus, vehicle body parts have a minimum of sharp or pointed areas that can injure a pedestrian, during an impact between the vehicle and the pedestrian. The body parts, generally fixed to the body of the vehicle, are capable of deforming, also deforming the body of the vehicle when the intensity of the impact is high, in order to absorb a maximum of energy due to the impact.

The deformation of the bodywork elements alone could be sufficient, during a low intensity shock, to absorb the energy created by the impact. However, the bodywork elements, integral with the vehicle body, tend, even during a low intensity impact, to deform the vehicle body. Deformation of the body results in increased vehicle repair time and costs.

It is known, in order to avoid deformation of the vehicle body when it is not necessary, to fix the bodywork elements to the vehicle by means of a connection device comprising a part forming a fuse mechanical.

Document FR 291 1 106 discloses such a connection device, integral with a body element by means of fixing clips. The connection device of this prior document is also secured to a front structure of the vehicle, by means of screws. The device comprises tabs, provided with fusible zones formed by thinning carried out on the thickness of the tabs.

Such a connecting device effectively makes it possible to avoid deformation of the front structure, by rupture of the fuse zones. However, the fusible areas are designed to rupture regardless of the direction of the force applied to the tab. For certain applications, such as for example at the level of the wing of the vehicle, the fusible areas of the connection device must resist a force applied in certain directions, for example when an individual leans on the wing or on the block optics of the vehicle connected to the wing, and the fuse zones must rupture when the force is applied in other directions.

An objective is to provide a device for connecting a bodywork element to a vehicle, this device being capable of breaking when a force is applied to the bodywork element and being able to resist an applied force on the bodywork element in at least one particular direction.

For these purposes, it is proposed, firstly, a device for connecting a bodywork element to a vehicle, this device comprising:

a first connection zone, configured to receive fixing means for fixing the connection device to the bodywork element;

a second connection zone, configured to receive fixing means for fixing the connection device to the vehicle; a fuse, intended to break the connection device, according to a rupture area defined by the fuse, under the effect of a force applied, in a first direction, by the bodywork element on the connection device, the area of rupture and the first connection zone forming an intersection;

these measures :

being configured to receive the bodywork element on a contact surface, the contact surface and a projection, in the first direction, of the rupture zone forming an intersection, so as to prevent the rupture of the connection device when the force is applied in a first primary direction of the first direction;

comprising a shim configured to support the bodywork element in a first secondary direction in a second direction, different from the first direction, this shim being outside the rupture zone, so as to prevent the rupture of the connection device when the force is applied in the first secondary direction of the second direction.

The contact surface of the connection device with the bodywork element prevents the device from breaking when the force is applied in the first primary direction of the first direction. The wedge of the connecting device prevents the breaking of the fuse when the force is applied in the first secondary direction of the second direction.

Various additional characteristics can be provided, alone or in combination:

the fuse comprises a tab delimiting the rupture zone, the tab being arranged in a third direction different from the first direction and from the second direction, so as to prevent the breaking of the device when the force is applied to the following bodywork element the third direction;

the shim comprises a first element, configured to be in contact with a first primary edge of a first lumen of the bodywork element, so as to prevent rupture of the device when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction of a third direction, different from first direction and second direction;

the first element is configured to be in contact with a second primary edge of the first lumen, so as to prevent the breaking of the device when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction of the third direction, and to index the connection device with the bodywork element in the third direction, the second tertiary direction being opposite to the first tertiary direction;

the shim comprises a second element, configured to be in contact with a first side of the body element, so as to prevent the breaking of the device when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction in a third direction, different from the first direction and second direction; the shim comprises a third element, configured to be in contact with a second side of the body element, so as to prevent the breaking of the device when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction of the third direction, and to index the connecting device with the bodywork element in the third direction, the second tertiary direction being opposite to the first tertiary direction;

the shim comprises a fourth element, configured to be in contact with a first secondary edge of a second lumen of the body element, so as to prevent the rupture of the device when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction of a third direction, different from first direction and second direction;

the fourth element is configured to be in contact with a second secondary edge of the second lumen, so as to prevent the rupture of the device when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction from the third direction, and to index the connection device with the bodywork element in the third direction, the second tertiary direction being opposite to the first tertiary direction;

the bodywork element comprises a sheet and an intermediate support.

It is proposed, secondly, a vehicle comprising a connecting device as presented above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and concretely on reading the following description of embodiments, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle comprising an intermediate support and a device for connecting a wing to a body;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the connecting device, the intermediate support and the body according to a first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the connecting device, according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the connecting device, the intermediate support and the body, according to the second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the connecting device and the intermediate support, according to a third embodiment;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the connecting device and the intermediate support, according to a fourth embodiment;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the connecting device and the intermediate support, according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 comprising a device 2 for connecting a bodywork element 3 to the vehicle 1.

According to the embodiments shown, the body element 3 comprises an intermediate support 4 and a sheet 5, integral with each other.

According to the embodiments shown, the connecting device 2 is secured to a body 6 of the vehicle 1 and the sheet 5 is a wing of the vehicle 1.

According to different embodiments, the intermediate support 4 and the sheet 5 form a single piece.

In the description below, the connecting device 2, the body element 3 and the body 6 are described assembled together and secured to the vehicle 1.

The connecting device 2 comprises a first connecting area 7, configured to receive means 8 for fixing, to fix the connecting device 2 to the element 3 of the bodywork.

The connecting device 2 also includes a second connecting area 9, configured to receive means 8 for fixing, to fix the device 2 for connection to the body 6.

In order to provide better readability in the drawings, the fixing means 8 are not shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, and the body 6 is not illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The connecting device 2 comprises a fuse 10, defining a rupture zone 11. The rupture zone 11 and the first connection zone 7 form an intersection.

According to the embodiments shown, the device 2 comprises a first wall 12, comprising two fuses 10, and a second wall 13 comprising two second connecting zones 9. According to the embodiments shown, the first wall 12 and the second wall 13 are substantially perpendicular.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the fuses 10 each comprise four tabs 14 connecting them to the first wall 12. The tabs 14 delimit the zone 11 of rupture of the fuse 10.

According to different embodiments, the fuses 10 include a different number of lugs 14.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the first connection zones 7 and the second connection zones 9 each comprise a bore 15 respectively capable of coinciding with holes 16 in the intermediate support 4 and with openings 17 in the body 6.

The fixing means 8 each comprise a screw 18 and a nut 19 configured to cooperate with the holes 15, the holes 16 and the openings 17.

According to different embodiments, the fixing means 8 are clips, glue or rivets.

The connecting device 2 comprises a shim 20. According to the embodiments shown, the shim 20 is arranged in projection, substantially perpendicular to the first wall 12.

The intermediate support 4 comprises a pan 21 having the holes 16. The first wall 12 of the device 2 defines a surface 22 of contact with the pan 21 of the intermediate support 4. The contact surface 22 and a projection, in a first direction 23, of the rupture zone 11 form an intersection, so as to block the rupture of the device 2 when a force is applied, in a first primary direction 24 of the first direction 23, by the intermediate support 4 on the connecting device 2.

According to the embodiments shown, the two rupture zones 11 defined by the two fuses 10 of the first wall 12 extend in the contact surface 22.

According to an embodiment shown in Figure 4, one of the holes 16 of the intermediate support 4 has a shape substantially identical to the shape of the screws 18. The cooperation of the screw 18 and the hole 16 thus allows rapid indexing of the support 4 intermediate, relative to the connecting device 2.

According to the first embodiment, shown in Figure 2, a first member 25 of the wedge 20 is in contact with a lower side 26 of the pan 21 of the intermediate support 4. The first element 25 thus prevents the device 2 from breaking when the force is applied in a first secondary direction 27 of a second direction 28 different from the first direction 23.

According to the first and second embodiment, shown in Figures 2 to 4, two of the four legs 14 of the fuses 10 are aligned in a third direction 29, as shown in Figure 3, the third direction 29 being different from the first direction 23 and the second direction 28. These tabs 14 thus prevent the device 2 from breaking when the force is applied in the third direction 29.

According to four embodiments respectively shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the intermediate support 4 comprises a first lumen 30 through which the first element 25 of the wedge 20. The first element 25 is supported against a primary upper edge 31 of the first lumen 30. The first element 25 thus prevents the rupture of the device 2, when the force is applied in the first secondary direction 27 of the second direction 28. According to an embodiment not shown, the first element 25 bears against a primary lower edge 32 of the first lumen 30. The first element 25 thus prevents the breaking of the device 2 when the force is applied in a second direction 33 secondary to the second direction 28, the second direction 33 secondary being opposite to the first secondary direction 27.

According to an embodiment not shown, the first element 25 is in abutment against the primary upper edge 31 and against the primary lower edge 32 of the first lumen 30 allowing, at the same time, to prevent the breaking of the device 2 , when the force is applied in the second direction 28, and to quickly index the intermediate support 4 relative to the connecting device 2.

According to the three embodiments of Figures 5 to 7, the holes 16 of the intermediate support 4 have a general dimension greater than the general dimension of the holes 15 of the connecting device 2, in order to allow greater tolerance during the manufacture of the intermediate support 4 and of the device 2.

According to the third embodiment, the first element 25 of the wedge 20 is in abutment against a first primary edge 34 of the first lumen 30 of the intermediate support 4. The first element 25 thus prevents the device 2 from breaking, when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction 35 of the third direction 29. Advantageously, the first element 25 of the wedge 20 is in abutment against a second primary edge 36 of the first light 30. The first element 25 thus makes it possible, at the same time, to prevent the rupture of the device 2 when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction 37 of the third direction 29, and to quickly index the intermediate support 4 by relative to the connecting device 2, the second tertiary direction 37 being opposite to the first tertiary direction 35.

According to the fourth embodiment, shown in Figure

6, the wedge 20 comprises a second element 38 bearing against a first side 39 of the intermediate support 4. The second element 38 thus prevents the device 2 from breaking, when the force is applied in the first tertiary direction 35 of the third direction 29. Advantageously, the shim 20 comprises a third element 40, bearing against a second side 41 of the support 4 intermediate. The third element 40 thus makes it possible, at the same time, to prevent the rupture of the device 2, when the force is applied in the second tertiary direction 37 of the third direction 29, and to quickly index the intermediate support 4 relative to the device 2 link.

According to the fifth embodiment, shown in Figure

7, the pan 21 of the intermediate support 4 comprises a second lumen 42 traversed by a fourth element 43 of the wedge 20. The fourth element 43 bears against a first secondary edge 44 of the second lumen 42. The fourth element 43 thus prevents rupture of the device 2, when the force is applied in the first tertiary direction 35 of the third direction 29. Advantageously, the fourth element 43 is in abutment against a second secondary edge 45 of the second lumen 42. The fourth element 43 thus allows , at the same time, to prevent the rupture of the device 2, when the force is applied in the second tertiary direction 37 of the third direction 29, and to quickly index the intermediate support 4 relative to the connecting device 2.

According to an embodiment not shown, the fourth element 43 is in abutment against a secondary upper edge 46 of the second lumen 42. The fourth element 43 thus prevents the device 2 from breaking, when the force is applied according to the first secondary direction 27 of the second direction 28. Advantageously, the fourth element 43 is in abutment against a secondary lower edge 47 of the second lumen 42. The fourth element 43 thus makes it possible, at the same time, to prevent rupture of the device 2 when the force is applied in the second secondary direction 33 of the second direction 28, and to quickly index the intermediate support 4 relative to the connecting device 2.

According to the embodiments shown, the first direction 23, the second direction 28 and the third direction 29 are perpendicular two by two and define, relative to the vehicle 1, an orthogonal coordinate system, namely:

the third direction 29, defining a longitudinal, horizontal direction, coincident with the general direction of movement of the vehicle 1, the first direction 23, defining a transverse, horizontal direction, which with the third direction 29 defines a horizontal plane, the second direction 28 , defining a vertical direction, perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device 2 is made of polymer material.

The first element 25, the second element 38 and the third element 40 in combination and the fourth element 43 of the wedge 20 allow rapid indexing of the intermediate support 4, relative to the connecting device 2.

The contact surface 22 of the device 2 for connection with the bodywork element 3 prevents the device 2 from breaking, when the force is applied in the first primary direction 24 of the first direction 23.

The first element 25 and the fourth element 43 of the wedge 20 as well as the lugs 14 of the fuses 10 of the connecting device 2 prevent the breaking of the device 2, when the force is applied in the first secondary direction 27 and the second secondary direction 33 of the second direction 28.

The first element 25, the second element 38 and the third element 40 of the wedge 20 of the connecting device 2 prevent the rupture of the device 2, when the force is applied in the first tertiary direction 35 and the second tertiary direction 37 of the third direction 29. The different combinations of the first element 25, the second element 38, the third element 40 and the fourth element 43 define the direction or directions in the direction or directions in which a force applied to the device 2 link causes the device 2 to break.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fuse 10 only breaks when the force is applied in a second primary direction 48 of the first direction 23, the second primary direction 48 being opposite to the first primary direction 24.

Advantageously, the body element 3, comprising the intermediate support 4 and the sheet 5, and the connecting device 2 are delivered assembled, so that the assembly is suitable for being mounted directly on the body 6 of the vehicle 1.

Claims (10)

1. Device (2) for connecting a body element (3) to a vehicle (1), this device (2) comprising: a first connection zone (7), configured to receive fixing means (8) for fixing the connection device (2) to the body element (3); a second connection zone (9), configured to receive fixing means (8) for fixing the connection device (2) to the vehicle (1); a fuse (10), intended to break the connection device (2), according to a rupture zone (11) defined by the fuse (10), under the effect of an applied force, in a first direction (23) , by the body element (3) on the connecting device (2), the rupture zone (11) and the first connecting zone (7) forming an intersection, this device (2) being characterized in that he : is configured to receive the body element (3) on a contact surface (22), the contact surface (22) and a projection, in the first direction (23), of the rupture zone (11) forming a intersection, so as to prevent rupture of the connecting device (2), when the force is applied in a first primary direction (24) of the first direction (23); comprises a shim (20), configured to support the body element (3) in a first direction (27) secondary to a second direction (28), different from the first direction (23), this shim (20) being outside the rupture zone (11), so as to prevent rupture of the connecting device (2), when the force is applied in the first secondary direction (27) of the second direction (28). 2. Device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fuse (10) comprises a tab (14) delimiting the rupture zone (11), the tab (14) being arranged in a third direction (29), different from the first direction (23) and the second direction (28), so as to prevent the device (2) from breaking when the force is applied to the body element (3) in the third direction (29). 3. Device (2) the preceding claim, characterized in that the shim (20) comprises a first element (25), configured to be in contact with a first primary edge (34) of a first lumen (30) of the body element (3) so as to prevent the breaking of the device (2) when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction (35) of the third direction (29), different from the first direction (23) and of the second direction (28). 4. Device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first element (25) is configured to be in contact with a second primary edge (36) of the first lumen (30), so as to prevent the breaking of the device (2) when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction (37) in the third direction (29), and in indexing the device (2) for connection with the body element (3) in the third direction (29 ), the second tertiary direction (37) being opposite to the first tertiary direction (35). 5. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge (20) comprises a second element (38), configured to be in contact with a first side (39) of the element (3 ) of bodywork, so as to prevent the breaking of the device (2) when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction (35) of a third direction (29), different from the first direction (23) and from the second direction (28). 6. Device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wedge (20) comprises a third element (40), configured to be in contact with a second side (41) of the element (3) of bodywork, so as to prevent rupture of the device (2) when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction (37) of the third direction (29), and to index the device (2) for connection with the element (3) of bodywork in the third direction (29), the second tertiary direction (37) being opposite to the first tertiary direction (35). 7. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the wedge (20) comprises a fourth element (43), configured to be in contact with a first edge (44) secondary of a second light (42) of the element (3) of the bodywork, so as to prevent the rupture of the device (2) when the force is applied in a first tertiary direction (35) in a third direction (29), different from the first direction (23) and the second direction (28). 5 8. Device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fourth element (43) is configured to be in contact with a second edge (45) secondary of the second lumen (42), so as to prevent rupture of the device (2) when the force is applied in a second tertiary direction (37) of the third 10 direction (29), and to index the device (2) for connection with the body element (3) in the third direction (29), the second tertiary direction (37) being opposite to the first tertiary direction (35). 9. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body element (3) 15 comprises a sheet (5) and an intermediate support (4). 10. Vehicle (1) comprising a connecting device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. \ // *